Open end electrostatic spinning head

ABSTRACT

An improved spinning head apparatus used in the performance of open end electrostatic spinning of fibers into yarn wherein internal rotating parts are maintained free of stray fiber buildup comprising a stationary housing having a throughbore therein and a hollow spindle for rotation within the throughbore. The spindle includes a fiber collecting funnel at one end. An electrode is mounted within the housing in a suitable position to electrostatically attract charged fibers to the collecting funnel. Means defining an opening in the housing connects the throughbore of the housing with the outside environment whereby the throughbore can be maintained free of stray fiber buildup.

United States Patent Chabot [54] OPEN END ELECTROSTATIC SPINNING HEAD [72] lnventor: Leo L. Chabot, Cumberland, RI.

[73] Assignee: North American Rockwell Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa.

221 Filed: April 19,1971

21] Appl.No.: 135,321

[52] US. Cl ..57/58.89, 57/56 [51] Int. Cl. ..D0lh 1/12, DOlh 11/00 [58] Field of Search.57/34 R, 34.5, 56, 58.89, 58.91, 57/58.93, 58.95

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,107,478 10/1963 Arshinov et a1. ..57/58.95 3,411,284 11/1968 Corbaz et al. ..57/58.91

[451 Oct. 24, 1972 Primary Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder Attorney-John R. Bronaugh, Floyd S. Levison, E. Dennis OConnor and Richard A. Speer [57] ABSTRACT An improved spinning head apparatus used in the performance of open end electrostatic spinning of fibers into yarn wherein internal rotating parts are maintained free of stray fiber buildup comprising a stationary housing having a throughbore therein and a hollow spindle for rotation within the throughbore. The spindle includes a fiber collecting funnel at one end. An electrode is mounted within the housing in a suitable position to electrostatically attract charged fibers to the collecting funnel. Means defining an opening in the housing connects the throughbore of the housing with the outside environment whereby the throughbore can be maintained free of stray fiber buildup.

8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PAIENTEU um 24 1912 FIG. 2.

OPEN END ELECTROSTATIC SPINNING HEAD FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved spinning head apparatus used in open end electrostatic spinning of textile fibers into yarn. Normally, electrostatically charged fibers are attracted toward a rotating funnel of a hollow spindle mounted in the throughbore of a stationary housing by means of an electrode suitably positioned in the housing. However, some fibers do not follow the normal path into the rotating funnel but instead stray into the throughbore of the housing. These stray fibers have a tendency to seep down the housing throughbore and jam bearings journaling the hollow spindle. In addition, fiber buildup can eventually result in matting and burning of the fine fibers due to frictional heat generated by the fibers being trapped between the rotating spindle and the inner wall of the throughbore of the stationary housing. Expensive downtime is incurred due to the fact that the spinning process must periodically be halted in order to clean out stray fiber accumulation.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved electrostatic spinning head apparatus which provides features designed to prevent the accumulation of fibers in the throughbore without interruption of the spinning process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An improved spinning head apparatus used in the performance of open end electrostatic spinning of fibers into ym wherein internal rotating parts are maintained free of stray fiber buildup comprising a stationary housing having a throughbore therein and a hollow spindle for rotation within the throughbore. The.

spindle includes a fiber collecting funnel at one end thereof. An electrode is mounted within the housing in a suitable position to electrostatically attract charged fibers to the collecting funnel. Means defining an opening in the housing connects the throughbore of the housing with the outside environment whereby the throughbore can be maintained free of stray fiber buildup.

In one form air under pressure is blown into the throughbore through the housing opening to act as a barrier to the entrance of stray fibers.

In a second form a vacuum is applied to the housing opening to exhaust stray fibers from within the throughbore.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description and from the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view partly in section and partly diagrammatic showing spinning apparatus incorporating structural features according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the stationary housing portion and rotating funnel shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to FIG. 1, the general system for electrostatic spinning comprises a first or upper ground electrode defined by feed roll and a second or lower electrode 12 which is suitably mounted within stationary housing 14. By applying a high voltage to electrode 12, for example through lead 18 which is connected to a source of high voltage (not shown), an electrostatic field is created between electrode 12 and the grounded electrode roll 10. Fibers 20 fed between roll 10 and cot roll 22 receive an electrical charge and are propelled by the electrostatic field toward the oppositely charged electrode 12. It is, of course, also possible to make the electrode 12 the grounded electrode and electrode 10 the high voltage electrode.

Electrode 12 has a generally annular configuration with a central opening. By so positioning electrode 12, charged fibers 20 are attracted to the funnel 24 and are captured for subsequent spinning into yarn. Funnel 24 comprises the upper portion of a hollow rotating spindle 26 which passes through the center of the electrode element 12. A drive means, such as a belt drive 28, rotates the spindle. Funnel 24 is preferably made of a non-conductive material in order that reversal of fiber charge will not occur as the fiber is collected. The spindle 26 is rotatably mounted in a throughbore 30 extending through the center of stationary housing 14.

Conventional bearing means 32 journal the spindle for rotation within throughbore 30. A fiber gripper device is mounted within the spindle beneath the funnel 24 in the general area indicated by numeral 34 to receive the collected fiber coming from funnel 24 and generate yarn which exits through the lower end 36 of throughbore 30 and is carried to a supply windup station (not shown). Electrode element 12 is mated to housing 14 by a stationary 0 ring 38.

The upper end of throughbore 30 is defined by an inner wall in the form of a narrowing funnel shaped portion 40 which communicates with an enclosed chamber 42 within housing 14 through which the fiber collecting funnel 24 passes. Enclosed chamber 42 and the spaces between the internal wall of the housing throughbore, spindle 26 and electrode 12 provide places where stray fibers may build up and deleteriously affect operation of the spinning head.

In view of the problems that can result from the unwanted accumulation of stray fibers, the present apparatus includes means for removing stray fiber and lint from the various areas between outer housing 14 and spindle 26. Specifically referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the chamber 42 is vented to the outside environment by means of an opening 44. This opening intercepts the chamber 42 at an angle to improve the flow of any waste products which may be contained within chamber 42. The cleansing can be effected by introducing air under pressure into the chamber 42 in which case stray fiber would be blown out of the chamber 42 through the upper end 40 of throughbore 30.

In the alternative, and the method which is generally preferred, a vacuum can be "drawn on chamber 42 through the housing opening 44 so that any stray fibers present will be withdrawn in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 2 and collected by suitable means (not shown) at a station removed from the spinning head. The vacuum method of operation is preferred due to the fact that introduction of positive pressure causes air currents to emanate from upper end 40 surrounding funnel 24 which can cause disruption of normal fiber flow from electrode 10 toward electrode 12.

As indicated herein, open end spinning is effected by creating an electrostatic field between the upper electrode roll and the lower electrode 12 which is mounted within the housing 14. Upon creation of the electrostatic field, fibers are fed into the field through the roll 10 and cot roll 22 and thus are given an individual charge that causes them to be transported by the electric field toward the electrode 12, whose charge is opposite that of the fibers. In the process, most of the fibers are collected within the funnel 24 and ultimately spun into yarn in the area of the gripper and discharged in the form of yarn from the bottom of the spinning head. However, occasional stray fibers do contact the spinning head at sites other than within the funnel 24. In this regard, statistically a certain number find their way into the clearance existing between the outer surface of funnel 24 and the upper terminus of the surrounding housing 14. By introducing either a positive or a negative pressure, vis-a-vis opening 44, to the chamber 42, the fibers can either be blown back through the clearance from which they entered or preferably can be totally removed from the throughbore by use of negative pressure.

Having thus described the invention in complete detail, it will be understood that these details need not be strictly adhered to and that various changes and modifications may be made, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved spinning head apparatus used in the performance of open end electrostatic spinning of fibers into yarn wherein internal rotating parts of said apparatus are maintained free of stray fiber accumulation, the improvement comprising:

a. a stationary housing having a throughbore therein;

b. hollow spindle means mounted for rotation within the throughbore of said housing, said spindle means including a fiber collecting funnel at one end of the spindle means;

c. electrode means mounted within said housing in a suitable position for electrostatically attracting charged fibers to said collecting funnel;

. means defining an opening in said housing which connects the throughbore of said housing with the outside environment whereby the throughbore can be maintained free of stray fiber accumulation; and

e. means connected to said means defining the opening in said housing to cause a flow of air through the throughbore of said housing to maintain it free of stray fiber accumulation.

2. The spinning head apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for introducing air under pressure through said opening of said stationary housing which air exhausts through said throughbore, thereby preventing stray fibers from entering said throughbore.

3. A spinning head apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein vacuum means are attached to said housing opening to positively exhaust stray fibers which enter said throughbore.

4. A spinning head apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein a portion of said throughbore defines an enclosed chamber within said housing provided to accommodate stray fiber buildup.

5. A spinning head apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein a portion of said throughbore defines an enclosed chamber within said housing provided to accommodate stray fiber buildup.

6. A spinning head apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein a portion of said throughbore defines an enclosed chamber within said housing provided to accommodate stray fiber buildup.

7. A spinning head apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said housing opening connects with said chamber.

8. A spinning head apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said housing opening connects with said chamber.

Dedication 3,699,760.Zle0 L. Ohabot, Cumberland, RI. OPEN END ELECTRO- STATIC SPINNING HEAD. Patent dated Oct. 24, 1972. Dedication filed Mar. 23, 1977, by the assignee, Eleatrospin Gowpomtiow.

Hereby dedicates to the Public the entire term of said patent.

[Oficz'al Gazette M ay 10, 1.977.] 

1. An improved spinning head apparatus used in the performance of open end electrostatic spinning of fibers into yarn wherein internal rotating parts of said apparatus are maintained free of stray fiber accumulation, the improvement comprising: a. a stationary housing having a throughbore therein; b. hollow spindle means mounted for rotation within the throughbore of said housing, said spindle means including a fiber collecting funnel at one end of the spindle means; c. electrode means mounted within said housing in a suitable position for electrostatically attracting charged fibers to said collecting funnel; d. means defining an opening in said housing which connects the throughbore of said housing with the outside environment whereby the throughbore can be maintained free of stray fiber accumulation; and e. means connected to said means defining the opening in said housing to cause a flow of air through the throughbore of said housing to maintain it free of stray fiber accumulation.
 2. The spinning head apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for introducing air under pressure through said opening of said stationary housing which air exhausts through said throughbore, thereby preventing stray fibers from entering said throughbore.
 3. A spinning head apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein vacuum means are attached to said housing opening to positively exhaust stray fibers which enter said throughbore.
 4. A spinning head apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein a portion of said throughbore defines an enclosed chamber within said housing provided to accommodate stray fiber buildup.
 5. A spinning head apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein a portion of said throughbore defines an enclosed chamber within said housing provided to accommodate stray fiber buildup.
 6. A spinning head apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein a portion of said throughbore defines an enclosed chamber within said housing provided to accommodate stray fiber buildup.
 7. A spinning head apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said housing opening connects with said chamber.
 8. A spinning head apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said housing opening connects with said chamber. 